Guitar chord guide
E Major Guitar Chord
E major uses all six strings and produces one of the fullest open guitar sounds. It is a home base for blues, classic rock and roots music.
Fingerings
How to play E
Why this shape works
The low and high E strings reinforce the root across several octaves. The shape is also the foundation of movable E-shape major barre chords.
Clean fingering tip
Place the first finger first, then drop the second and third fingers together. Listen for both open E strings.
Common mistake
Excess pressure can pull the G string sharp at the first fret. Fret close to the wire and use only enough force for a clean note.
Check every string
Pick from the lowest included string to the highest. A note should either ring clearly or be deliberately muted. Accidental half-muted strings are what make a chord feel weak.
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